The Intentional Divorce Library

Divorce comes with more financial questions than anyone expects. This is where you'll find real answers on asset division, budgeting, retirement, and the mistakes that quietly cost women the most, written by a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst who has helped clients navigate exactly what you're facing now.

No fluff, no fear tactics. Just the information you need to make clear-eyed decisions and protect the life you're building next.

Not sure where to start?

Jump to the stage that matches where you are:

Is a Lump Sum Better Than Alimony? Here’s What You Should Know Before Deciding alimony/spousal support certified divorce financial analyst

When working through the financial details of a divorce, one option that may come up is whether to take—or offer—a lump sum alimony payment instead of ongoing monthly spousal support. While it’s not always the most pressing issue in divorce negotiations, it can be an important consideration, espec

...
Continue Reading...
How to Help Your Children Cope with a Divorce kids and divorce

Last night, I was at my mom's house with my three kids. We were all sitting around watching a movie after dinner, and my ex and I were texting about the kids' schedule for Monday. I asked if he wanted to join us for the movie and to my surprise, he did.

Three years ago, when we were in the midst of...

Continue Reading...
Life Insurance and Divorce: Protecting Your Family’s Future alimony/spousal support child support life insurance

If you have found your way to my blog, I'm guessing that your marriage did not go as planned. Let's face it, in life, there are a lot of things that don’t work out as expected. One of the most challenging examples is when you enter into a marriage with the intention of spending the rest of your life...

Continue Reading...
Shared Parenting Plan Checklist co-parenting mediation

I often find myself sitting in mediation with couples who are looking for guidance when it comes to creating a parenting plan. The beauty of mediation is that you can create a parenting plan that is going to work best for your children and your family. Quite frankly, it doesn't matter what everyone ...

Continue Reading...
How to Divide Assets in a Divorce: 7 Questions to Ask Yourself certified divorce financial analyst dividing assets in a divorce house in a divorce property division in divorce retirement accounts in divorce

Are you worried about splitting assets in a divorce?

Worrying over financial decisions is normal on an average day, but when going through a divorce, it can be paralyzing. Unfortunately, the fear around these issues is completely warranted. You only have one chance to get it right, and your divorce...

Continue Reading...
Dividing Pensions in a Divorce: Shared vs. Separate Interest dividing assets in a divorce pension in divorce property division in divorce qdro retirement accounts in divorce

Dividing pensions in a divorce can be confusing. For starters, some clients that I see are often confused (even after negotiating their divorce settlement) regarding what type of retirement account(s) they have. In this blog, I am referring specifically to defined benefit plans. Defined benefit plan...

Continue Reading...
 
Contemplating Divorce? 4 Ways a CDFA can Help Reduce Your Stress certified divorce financial analyst

Divorce is complicated and emotional. It's not something that people decide on a whim. It's important to research and explore all your options to create a secure financial future for yourself. Hiring a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) before you begin your divorce process is a smart choice...

Continue Reading...
Eliminate Shared Parenting Battles with OurFamilyWizard co-parenting kids and divorce

Parenting is a tough job in the best of circumstances. Shared parenting after a divorce is a whole different ballgame. When I first went through my divorce, dealing with the most basic kid issues felt like preparing for battle with my ex again and again. It was exhausting. Quite frankly, I did not w...

Continue Reading...
Collaborative Divorce: The Benefits of using a Financial Neutral certified divorce financial analyst collaborative divorce divorce coach

Divorces have a reputation for being messy and pitting couples at each other’s throats. Much of the controversy surrounding divorces stem from the allocation of assets and other financial concerns. You can reduce the associated stress when you use a Financial Neutral in collaborative divorce cases.

...
Continue Reading...
Divorce Mediation: The Complete Checklist — Documents, Financial Prep, and What to Expect asset division certified divorce financial analyst dividing assets in a divorce divorce financial planning divorce mediation mediation ohio divorce ohio divorce mediation preparing for divorce property division in divorce

Divorce mediation often involves many moving parts. This practical checklist guides you through the documents to gather, the financial preparation required, and what to expect during each stage of mediation. When you know what to bring and how to organize it, mediation sessions run more smoothly and...

Continue Reading...
Debt and Divorce: Understand Your Liability for Shared Debt debt

Are you faced with debt and divorce?

Divorce can be scary but when you're faced with debt and divorce, it becomes even more complicated. Know that you are not alone. Many couples find themselves knee deep in debt and have no idea what to do with it in their divorce.  The best option for shared deb...

Continue Reading...
Hidden Assets in Divorce: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Financial Future asset division certified divorce financial analyst divorce financial planning financial infidelity hidden assets divorce ohio divorce preparing for divorce

One of the questions I hear most often is:

“How do I know if my spouse is hiding money?”

Sometimes that question comes with a very specific concern.

Maybe a bonus suddenly disappeared. Maybe a business is involved. Maybe bank statements have become harder to access. Maybe your spouse’s lifestyle ...

Continue Reading...